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Question about Taxotere Chemo

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Posted 8/14/2014 8:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,

Dad's PSA is now 1000+ and has had 1 treatment of docetaxel and prednisone, next one due on 21st August.
since my last post Dad has developed more symptoms. he now struggles to walk and is in constant pain (back, front of left leg, shoulder) he has also lost a lot of weight and has very little appetite.

I can find lots of information about the side effects of docetaxel but very little information about the advantages. i.e. will this treatment help with the pain, will his appetite increase most important does the treatment improve quality of life

we are very aware that this treatment will not cure Dad and at the moment the side effects are making the appetite problem worse. Just wondered if anyone can give me some information on their experience. :-)
Posted 8/14/2014 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Thersa,

Sorry I cannot address the chemo but I wondered if your dad has had hormone therapy? There is a member here who started with a PSA around 3000 and lung mets as I recall. Back pain was what sent him to doctor. He had amazing results with HT. Basically csodex and lupron. Ask your Dad's doctor about this treatment. Still not a cure but could be effective.

I hope that he finds relief and some effective treatment.

Best to the both of you,
Don
Posted 8/14/2014 9:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,

Thank you for your answer, Dad started on Lupron PSA 800 ish PSA Came down to 20 but 6 months later it was up to 85. second line hormone treatment failed. Doubling time approx 1.5 months so the chemo was started PSA +1000 Dad still has Lupron injections but the cosdex was stopped. He has stents both kidneys.

I just hope that his quality of life improves for the time he has left. It so hard to watch someone you love change so much.
Posted 8/15/2014 2:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Theresa .....

   I have had a total of 10-taxotere treatments in the past. The taxotere did bring my PSA down - over the course of 30-weeks. And that was with a kidney stent on my left side and nefrostomy tube on my right side.

   My best wishes for your Dad's QofL!

Peace and wellness

Rob & Gizmo

P.S. - my highest PSA to date was at 89.8 four weeks ago - as a reference point.

 

Posted 8/15/2014 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Rob and Gizmo,

I see you have had over 10 years fighting Prostate Cancer, I sometimes feel guilty worring about my Dad as he is now 81 years young and his life has been a healthy and active life he and mum enjoyed 10 mile country walks a few times a week, he was still mending cars and living a great life. Its just so hard to watch him struggle to walk now. I have been on this site a few times and I am shocked at how young some of you are. It seems that very few have the Kidney problems. so far since the stents were inserted (changed twice) no problems with the water works. Dad had bone scan this week to see if radiothearpy will help with the pain. Not sure if we will see any benefit from the Chemo or how long before any improvement in QofL. Sorry to waffle on but its nice to have a place to get information and vent some worries to people who understand. I do hope each and every member on this site and any man diagnosed with this illness gets the best treatment going and that a cure is soon available for you all.

Best wishes
Theresa
Posted 8/16/2014 3:13 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Theresa,

It would appear that your Dad is getting "state of the art" treatment with the combination of Hormone Therapy and docetaxel. Recent ASCO meeting reported that combing hormone therapy with docetaxel extended life an average of 17 months, as opposed to the traditional therapy of doing chemo after all hormone treatment had ended. This 17 month gain was described as the best new approach found in years. You can search this keywords for more info: docetaxel prostate asco.

Best wishes to you and your Dad.

NewspaperLover
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